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The Phoenix Suns need to trade Tyler Ulis now

By Lucas Johnson

PHOENIX, AZ - JANUARY 26: Trey Burke #23 of the New York Knicks handles the ball against Tyler Ulis #8 of the Phoenix Suns on January 26, 2018 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - JANUARY 26: Trey Burke #23 of the New York Knicks handles the ball against Tyler Ulis #8 of the Phoenix Suns on January 26, 2018 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The NBA trade deadline is almost here and one player that general manager Ryan McDonough needs to move is point guard Tyler Ulis.

One of the bigger disappointments for Phoenix Suns fans this season has been the poor play of Tyler Ulis. In the past, I have written about how this season would decide Ulis’ career with the Suns. The Suns signed Josh Gray to help at the point guard situation, which I had suggested they do in a previous article. However, Gray doesn’t fix what has happened to Ulis. Ulis has regressed from last season and has shown that he isn’t going to improve in Phoenix. A deal that would send Ulis to another NBA franchise would benefit both the Suns and the second year playmaker.

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A change of scenery would surely help Ulis, it doesn’t matter whether he lands with a rebuilding team or contending. Ulis is being asked to do too much for the Suns and any other franchise wouldn’t asked him to do as much which should help him. Trading Ulis isn’t as simple as just finding any team that wants him. Scott Bordow of azcentral reported that Suns’ general manager Ryan McDonough has expressed interest in finding a short term option at point guard, so that Phoenix has cap space this summer. In any hypothetical trade involving just Ulis, the Suns would most likely want a point guard on a one year contract and possibly a draft pick. Below are two possible trade scenarios that would have Ulis leaving Phoenix.

Atlanta Hawks

The Hawks have the worst record in the NBA and are clearly in rebuild mode. Adding a young player like Ulis could help them in the future.

Malcolm Delaney is on the last year of his deal and could be a much better place holder at point guard for the rest of this season than Ulis. Delaney could have the chance to showcase his skills as starting point guard or at least a backup with more minutes. Once the season is over, the Suns could move on from Delaney and have another roster spot as well as more cap space. If Delaney plays well then the Suns may want to resign him.

Cleveland Cavaliers

The drama in Cleveland is intense to say the least, however the Cavaliers could be a good trade partner for the Suns.

If the worse happens with Isaiah Thomas and LeBron James both walking at the end of this season, it would leave Cavs in ruin. This hypothetical trade would allow the Cavs to continue to compete this season and give them a foundation for the future in case both stars leave. On the other side of the coin, this proposed deal gives the Suns a solid veteran in Jose Calderon. Calderon can help Devin Booker develop his point guard skills and provide solid minutes as a starter or backup. Calderon will also be a free agent this offseason, so he wouldn’t affect the Suns long term plans. While the Suns will have to wait a while, a second round pick isn’t a bad throw in this hypothetical trade either.

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It’s clear that Ulis and Phoenix Suns aren’t meant to be and a trade could help both sides. Ulis could get a fresh start with a new organization and the Suns’ could get better play at the point guard position. McDonough should be making calls and gauging other clubs’ interests in Ulis before the trade deadline passes.

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